WHILE just heading back to work has proved trial enough for some, the Moree Services Cycle and Triathlon Cub kicked off its new year on Saturday for those who can’t get up too early or workout too hard.
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And despite the fact many of the 20 who turned up were carrying a bit of extra post Christmas baggage, the triathletes set a number of personal bests.
“It was a cool morning with no breeze,” club president Bill Adams said.
They had good reason to be pushing themselves – many will be competing in the upcoming Hell of the West, Goondiwindi’s annual triathlon to be held on February 1.
“You’ve got to go to the Gold Coast or Newcastle, or the Port Macquarie Iron Man, to find another event like this,” Adams said.
“It’s the big event for the region. People come from all over the eastern seaboard to compete.” One of Australia’s toughest races, the Hell of the West involves a two kilometre swim in the Macintyre River, 80km cycle west on the Barwon Highway towards St George and a 20km run which loops through the town. All of this under the blazing summer sun.
“The Gundy community really gets behind it and they do a fantastic job, it’s a local, non-profit committee which organises the event and the whole town gets involved,” Adams said. “People come from as far as Newcastle and all over the region to support it.”
Andrew Noakes, Tony Burgin, Jeff Hodgson, Rebecca Taylor, Justin Barnes, Kerry Burgen and Brad Hartley will all join Adams in the individual competition in Goondiwindi, while a number of other Moree locals will all be participating in team races.
But while a day in Hell is not everyone’s idea of a weekend, Adams said the club welcomes everyone to come and participate at its weekly mini triathlons, which involve a 200mt swim, 12km ride and two kilometre run.
“Everyone tries to do those distances, but really we welcome anyone to come down and do anything. It’s a choose your own adventure, so to speak,” Adams said.
“You don’t have to do that course, people come down on mountain bikes and do shorter courses, some people come in a team where one does the swim and another does the rest.”
Those interested need to turn up at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre at 6.30am Saturday morning. It is $10 to join the club and $5 per event or $2 for pool members.
Members also do a bike ride every Tuesday and Thursday morning leaving from the Shell petrol station at Balo St at 5.30am.
